THE PETER YARROW SONGBOOK, #3

This musical celebration meant for a family car trip, an evening at home or a campfire sing-along include some of Yarrow’s (of Peter, Paul, & Mary fame) family favorites. Organized in three sections—illustrated lyrics, lyrics with chords and song histories—the collection begins with the spiritual “This Little Light of Mine” and ends with “Oh, You Can’t Get to Heaven.” In between are ten well-known historic, silly or protest songs, with Widener’s acrylic illustrations evoking a down-home optimism that suggests persistence and solidarity. The accompanying CD features a pleasant combination of voice types: The singer’s rich tone anchors each song, and his daughter’s light, lyric voice dances around his crystal-clear enunciation, all backed up by children’s enthusiastic voices. Notable is “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt” for joy and humor. The illustrated format will draw in younger children, ideally prompting them to ask for a group sing, and the author’s notes and messages will both encourage young musicians’ creativity and add insight into the songs’ history. This volume is the third in the Peter Yarrow Songbook series. (Nonfiction. 7-11)